Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has renewed calls for the establishment of state police, citing the worsening insecurity in the state and the limited control governors have over federal security agencies.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the governor expressed frustration over the current security arrangement, saying it hinders effective response to criminal activities across the state.
Lawal noted that although governors are referred to as chief security officers of their states, they lack operational authority over security personnel such as the police, army, and civil defence corps. According to him, this limitation makes it difficult for state governments to take decisive actions or be held accountable for insecurity.
He explained that in most cases, heads of security agencies defer to their superiors at the federal level, which delays response and weakens coordination at the state level.
The governor emphasised that this structural defect is one of the major reasons why insecurity persists in Zamfara and other parts of the country.
He stated that establishing state police would allow governors to take full charge of internal security, including recruiting and training officers who understand the local terrain and threats.
Lawal added that with adequate legal backing, states would be able to equip and manage their own security forces, thereby improving accountability and efficiency.
The governor called on the federal government and the National Assembly to prioritise constitutional reforms that would pave the way for the implementation of state police across the country.
